Beaconing mode for wireless communication

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to facilitating apparatus interaction. In at least one example embodiment of the present invention, apparatuses may comprise both triggered communication activities and automated communication activities. Triggered communication activities may correspond to, for example, user and/or application instigated actions in a wireless apparatus. Automated activities may occur without any requirement for user intervention, and further, without any notification to the user that an action has occurred.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention pertain generally towireless link establishment, and in particular, to establishing beaconperiods of varying frequency.

2. Background

Wireless communication has moved from simply being concerned withconveying verbal information to being more focused on total digitalinteractivity. While originally limited to voice communication (e.g.,telephone calls on cellular handsets), enhancements in wirelesstechnology have substantially improved ability, quality of service(QoS), speed, etc. These developments have contributed to an insatiabledesire for new functionality. Portable wireless apparatuses are nolonger just tasked with making telephone calls. They have becomeintegral, and in some cases essential, tools for managing theprofessional and/or personal life of users.

The effect of this evolving technology may be seen in instances where aplurality of apparatuses have been replaced with a single multifunctiondevice. The functionality that was formally provided by landlinetelephones and facsimiles, laptop computers, portable digital assistants(PDA), game systems, music players, digital storage devices may besupported in a single digital communication apparatus. The abovefunctionality may be further supplemented through the provision ofapplications that were not previously available in portable apparatuses(e.g., directional/tracking features, wireless financial transactions,social networking, etc.).

Such functionality, both existing and emerging, require systems andstrategies for seamlessly interconnecting users. In particular,apparatus users will desire a virtually immediate response whenapplications or functions are executed. Any delay or inaccuracy in theresponse will negatively impact on a user's satisfaction with theapplication or function, and thus, may be detrimental to the acceptanceof the application or function by the consuming public.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present invention may be directed to amethod, apparatus, computer program and system for facilitatingapparatus interaction. In accordance with at least one exampleimplementation, apparatuses operating within communication range of eachother (e.g., in the same operational space) may interact wirelesslywithout user intervention. This interaction may comprise data-typeinformation exchanges conducted over distributed local networks.Distributed local networks may establish/maintain connectivity betweenapparatuses without visibility from the user/application level throughthe use of simple low-level messaging.

In accordance with various example embodiments of the present invention,network connections may be established in accordance with protocolsdictated by the particular wireless communication medium being employed.In some instances, apparatuses participating in these networks may bekept in synchronization through the use of beaconing. While a beacon mayestablish timing for the entire network, certain apparatuses may desire(or may be required) to be active less frequently than dictated bynetwork beaconing. For example, apparatuses with limited resources, lowmessaging levels, etc. may have activity requirements substantiallybelow the frequency established by the beacon. These apparatuses mayselect an operational mode that uses a beacon period that is lower thanthe standard beacon period, or a “diluted” beacon period.

In at least one implementation, beaconing apparatuses may also transmitone or more associated diluted beacon period indications in each beaconframe. Diluted beacon period indications may be communicated in terms ofpredefined information elements (IEs), and may be “associated” with abeacon in that the frequency of a diluted beacon may be expressed as amultiple of the primary beaconing period. Since diluted beacon periodsare defined by the apparatus transmitting the network beacon, theoperational mode of apparatuses that join the network may be establishedafter beacon synchronization, and may further be communicated within thenetwork so that periods where apparatuses may be contending for accessto a wireless communication medium may be known to the other networkedapparatuses.

The above summarized configurations or operations of various embodimentsof the present invention have been provided merely for the sake ofexplanation, and therefore, are not intended to be limiting. Moreover,inventive elements associated herein with a particular exampleembodiment of the present invention can be used interchangeably withother example embodiments depending, for example, on the manner in whichan embodiment is implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be further understood from the following descriptionof various exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 discloses examples of hardware and software resources that may beutilized when implementing various example embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 discloses an example network environment in accordance with atleast one example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 discloses examples of various types of messaging that may beutilized in accordance with at least one example embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 discloses an example of message propagation that may result indistributed local web formation in accordance with at least one exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 discloses example beacon implementations that are usable inaccordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 discloses an example of host responsibilities and modemresponsibilities in accordance with at least one example embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 discloses examples of various packet structures in accordancewith at least one example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 discloses a flowchart for an example communication process inaccordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention has been described herein in terms of amultitude of example embodiments, various changes or alterations can bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I. General System with which Embodiments of the Present Invention may beImplemented

An example of a system that is usable for implementing variousembodiments of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1. The systemcomprises elements that may be included in, or omitted from,configurations depending, for example, on the requirements of aparticular application, and therefore, is not intended to limit presentinvention in any manner.

Computing device 100 may be, for example, a laptop computer. Elementsthat represent basic example components comprising functional elementsin computing device 100 are disclosed at 102-108. Processor 102 mayinclude one or more devices configured to execute instructions, whereina group of instructions may be constituted, for example, as programcode. In at least one scenario, the execution of program code mayinclude receiving input information from other elements in computingdevice 100 in order to formulate an output (e.g., data, event, activity,etc). Processor 102 may be a dedicated (e.g., monolithic) microprocessordevice, or may be part of a composite device such as an ASIC, gatearray, multi-chip module (MCM), etc.

Processor 102 may be electronically coupled to other functionalcomponents in computing device 100 via a wired or wireless bus. Forexample, processor 102 may access memory 102 in order to obtain storedinformation (e.g., program code, data, etc.) for use during processing.Memory 104 may generally include removable or imbedded memories thatoperate in a static or dynamic mode. Further, memory 104 may includeread only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), and rewritablememories such as Flash, EPROM, etc. Code may include any interpreted orcompiled computer language including computer-executable instructions.The code and/or data may be used to create software modules such asoperating systems, communication utilities, user interfaces, morespecialized program modules, etc.

One or more interfaces 106 may also be coupled to various components incomputing device 100. These interfaces may allow for inter-apparatuscommunication (e.g., a software or protocol interface),apparatus-to-apparatus communication (e.g., a wired or wirelesscommunication interface) and even apparatus to user communication (e.g.,a user interface). These interfaces allow components within computingdevice 100, other apparatuses and users to interact with computingdevice 100. Further, interfaces 106 may communicate machine-readabledata, such as electronic, magnetic or optical signals embodied on acomputer readable medium, or may translate the actions of users intoactivity that may be understood by computing device 100 (e.g., typing ona keyboard, speaking into the receiver of a cellular handset, touchingan icon on a touch screen device, etc.) Interfaces 106 may further allowprocessor 102 and/or memory 104 to interact with other modules 108. Forexample, other modules 108 may comprise one or more componentssupporting more specialized functionality provided by computing device100.

Computing device 100 may interact with other apparatuses via variousnetworks as further shown in FIG. 1. For example, hub 100 may providewired and/or wireless support to devices such as computer 114 and server116. Hub 100 may be further coupled to router 112 that allows devices onthe local area network (LAN) to interact with devices on a wide areanetwork (WAN, such as Internet 120). In such a scenario, another router130 may transmit information to, and receive information from, router112 so that devices on each LAN may communicate. Further, all of thecomponents depicted in this example configuration are not necessary forimplementation of the present invention. For example, in the LANserviced by router 130 no additional hub is needed since thisfunctionality may be supported by the router.

Further, interaction with remote devices may be supported by variousproviders of short and long range wireless communication 140. Theseproviders may use, for example, long range terrestrial-based cellularsystems and satellite communication, and/or short-range wireless accesspoints in order to provide a wireless connection to Internet 120. Forexample, personal digital assistant (PDA) 142 and cellular handset 144may communicate with computing device 100 via an Internet connectionprovided by a provider of wireless communication 140. Similarfunctionality may be included in devices, such as laptop computer 146,in the form of hardware and/or software resources configured to allowshort and/or long range wireless communication.

II. Example Networking Environment

FIG. 2 discloses an example operational space that will be utilized todescribe various example embodiments of the present invention. Theexample scenario depicted in FIG. 2 is utilized herein only for the sakeof explanation, and therefore, is not intended to limit the scope of thevarious embodiments of the present invention. Operational spaces may bedefined using various criteria. For example, a physical space like abuilding, theatre, sports arena, etc. may be utilized to define an areain which users interact. Otherwise, operational spaces may be defined inview of apparatuses utilizing particular wireless transports,apparatuses within communication range (e.g., a certain distance) ofeach other, apparatuses that are in certain classes or groups, etc.

Wireless-enabled apparatuses 200 are labeled “A” to “G” in FIG. 2.Apparatuses 200 may, for example, correspond to any of thewireless-enabled apparatuses that were disclosed in FIG. 1, and mayfurther include at least the resources discussed with respect toapparatus 100. For the sake of example herein, these apparatuses mayoperate utilizing at least one wireless communication medium in common.That is, all apparatuses in the example of FIG. 2 are at least able towirelessly communicate with each other within the operational space, andtherefore, may participate in the same wireless communication network.

III. Examples of Messaging

Now referring to FIG. 3, an example of communication between apparatusesin accordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention is disclosed at 300. While only apparatus 200A and apparatus200B are shown, the disclosed example scenario is being utilized onlyfor the sake of explanation herein, and is not intended to limit thescope or applicability of any embodiment of the present invention.Moreover, the various example embodiments of the present invention, suchas disclosed herein, may be implemented in order to facilitate wirelessinteraction between two or more apparatuses existing in an operationalspace.

Additional detail with respect to communication example 300 is disclosedfurther in FIG. 3. Apparatus 200A may have communication requirementsthat require interaction with apparatus 200B. For example, theserequirements may comprise interactions by apparatus users, applicationsresiding on the apparatuses, etc. that trigger the transmission ofmessages that may be generally classified under the category ofdata-type communication 302. Data-type communication may be carried outusing tiny messages that may be transmitted between apparatus 200A and200B. However, some form of wireless network link or connection mustfirst be established before any data type communication messages 302 maybe exchanged.

Network establishment and MAC management messages 304 may be utilized toestablish and maintain an underlying wireless network architecturewithin an operating space that may be utilized to convey data typecommunication messages 302. In accordance with various exampleembodiments of the present invention, messages containing apparatusconfiguration, operation and status information may be exchanged totransparently establish wireless network connections when, for example,an apparatus enters an operating space. Network connections may existbetween any or all apparatuses existing within the operating space, andmay be in existence for the entire time that an apparatus resides in theoperating space. In this way, data-type communication messages 302 maybe conveyed between apparatuses over already existent networks (a newnetwork connection does not need to be negotiated at the time themessage is to be sent), which may in turn reduce response delay andincrease quality of service (QoS).

The example scenario disclosed in FIG. 2 is now revisited in FIG. 4,which shows an example of distributed local network formation utilizingautomated network establishment and MAC management messages 304.Apparatuses 200 that enter into operational space 210 may immediatelybegin to formulate network connections through the exchange operationalinformation. Again, the exchange of this information may occur withoutany prompting from, or even knowledge of, a user. An example of thisinteractivity is shown in FIG. 4, wherein various network establishmentand MAC management messages 304 are exchanged between apparatuses A toG. In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention, messages may be exchanged directly between an originatingapparatus (e.g., the apparatus that is described by the informationelements in a message) and a receiving apparatus. Alternatively,messages corresponding to one or more apparatuses in operational space210 may be forwarded from one apparatus to another, therebydisseminating the information for multiple apparatuses.

IV. Example Operational Parameter: Diluted Beacon Period

An example of information that may be communicated in networkestablishment and MAC management messages 304 (e.g., through the use inan information element) is now disclosed in FIG. 5. The activity flowdisclosed at 500 represents an example implementation using selectedfeatures of wireless local area networking or WLAN (as set forth in theIEEE 802.11 specification). However, various embodiments of the presentinvention are not strictly limited to WLAN, and thus, may be applied tovarious wireless network architectures using various wireless mediums.

The WLAN logical architecture comprises stations (STA), wireless accesspoints (AP), independent basic service sets (IBSS), basic service sets(BSS), distribution systems (DS), and extended service sets (ESS). Someof these components map directly to hardware devices, such as stationsand wireless access points. For example wireless access points mayfunction as bridges between stations and a network backbone (e.g., inorder to provide network access). An independent basic service set is awireless network comprising at least two stations. Independent basicservice sets are also sometimes referred to as an ad hoc wirelessnetwork. Basic service sets are wireless networks comprising a wirelessaccess point supporting one or multiple wireless clients. Basic servicesets are also sometimes referred to as infrastructure wireless networks.All stations in a basic service set may interact through the accesspoint. Access points may provide connectivity to wired local areanetworks and provides bridging functionality when one station initiatescommunication to another station or with a node in a distribution system(e.g., with a station coupled to another access point that is linkedthrough a wired network backbone).

In wireless network architectures like WLAN, beacon signals may beutilized to synchronize the operation of networked apparatuses. Insituations where new ad hoc networks are being created, the initiatingapparatus may establish beaconing based on it owns clock, and allapparatuses that join the network may conform to this beacon. Similarly,apparatuses that desire to join an existing wireless network maysynchronize to the existing beacon. In the case of WLAN, apparatuses maysynchronize to beacon signals utilizing a timing synchronizationfunction (TSF). The timing synchronization function is a clock functionthat is local to an apparatus that synchronizes to and tracks the beaconperiod.

An example of a beacon signal is shown in FIG. 5 at 502 wherein a targetbeacon transmission time (TBTT) indicates the targeted beacontransmission. This time may be deemed “targeted” because the actualbeacon transmission may be a somewhat delayed from the TBTT due to, forexample, the channel being occupied at TBTT. The apparatuses that areactive in the network may communicate with each other in accordance withthe beacon period. However, there may be instances where it may not bebeneficial, and may possibly even be detrimental, for apparatuses to beactive during each beacon period. For example, apparatuses that do notexpect frequent communication within the wireless network may notbenefit from being active for every beacon period. Moreover, apparatuseswith limited power or processing resource may be forced to waste theseprecious resources by the requirement of being active for every beaconperiod.

In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention, functionality may be introduced utilizing the exampledistributed wireless network described above to allow apparatuses tooperate at a standard beaconing rate, or alternatively, using a“diluted” beaconing rate. “Diluted” beaconing may entail a beaconingmode operating at a lower frequency than the beaconing rate originallyestablished in the network. Diluted beaconing may be based oninformation (e.g., information elements) that is included in networkbeacon frames, wherein the included information may express one or morediluted beacon rates as multiples of the beacon. Using the beacon andthe one or more associated diluted beacon period indications containedwithin beacon frames, networked apparatuses may elect to operate (e.g.,via random contention) based either on the beacon or a diluted beaconperiod. In particular, all apparatuses may synchronize to the sameinitial target beacon transmission time (TBTT), for example when TSF=0,and may then count the number periods that occur after the initial TBTTbased on the internal TSF function. In this way, apparatuses operatingusing a diluted beacon period may be active on TBTT counts thatcorresponds to the multiple defined by the diluted beaconing period.

An example diluted beacon rate of every 10^(th) TBTT is disclosed inFIG. 5 at 504. The decision on a beaconing rate to utilize may behandled by each apparatus individually, (e.g., in the protocol stacksthat manage operation of a radio modem). All apparatuses, however, willoperate based on a beacon interval that remains the same for thelifetime of the network. In view of the requirement that the beaconinterval remain unchanged for the duration of the wireless network, thediluted beacon signal may be expressed as a multiple of the beaconsignal. In the example disclosed in FIG. 5, and as set forth above, thefirst TBTT is equivalent TSF=0. This initial value is dictated by theapparatus that formed the network. Other apparatuses that subsequentlyjoin the network may adopt this beacon interval parameter and TBTTtiming. For example, the TBTT at TSF=0 is the “base point” thatdetermines when beacons are transmitted. All the devices in networkupdate their own TSF counters as per legacy synchronization rules, andfrom the TSF they may determine the particular TBTT in which toparticipate in beaconing assuming that, regardless of the beaconingrate, the first beacon was transmitted at TSF=0.

For example, in a network with four apparatuses where devices 1, 2 and 4operate using a diluted beaconing mode having an example frequency(e.g., a time period between beacon transmissions) of every 6^(th) TBTTall apparatuses may remain synchronized, but only device 3 would beactive (e.g., “competing”) in beaconing periods 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, whileall apparatuses may participate in TBTT 0, TBTT 6, TBTT 12, etc.Therefore, there can be at least two different beacon periods among theapparatuses, and possibly further diluted beacon periods as eachapparatus may select its own diluted beaconing period based on theoriginal beaconing period and the one or more associated diluted beaconperiod indications transmitted therewith.

In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentinvention, beacons will contain a diluted beacon period parameter. Thediluted beacon period parameter may, for example, be carried invendor-specific information elements (IEs). Diluted beacon periodparameter values may remain the same for the lifetime of the network.However, should there be need for more flexibility, other beacon rateperiods may be predefined, and all of the predefined beacon rate periodsmay signaled in a manner similar to the diluted beaconing rate.

FIG. 6 discloses an example of the responsibilities of host 600 (e.g.,upper level control layers that reside above a radio modem inapparatuses) and the responsibilities of radio modem 604. The term“radio modem” in this instance may also be considered to encompass morecomplex radio “modules” that incorporate additional functionality intothe radio modem. For example, host 600 may be responsible for commandsinstructing a modem to start a network (or to join a network) and thedetermination of whether to utilize a beacon interval or diluted beaconperiod given to the modem. Host 600 may further be responsible forpost-processing related to received beacons, the formation of beaconsfor transmission by the radio modem (e.g., when an apparatus isestablishing a new network), communicating with networked apparatusesusing host-level protocols (e.g., that exploit WLAN data type frames).Moreover, beacon rate transition notifications (e.g., beacon ratechanges during the life of a network) can be conveyed in both beacons(e.g., vendor-specific information elements) or in host-level protocolmessages.

Host-Modem Interface (I/F) 602 can be either a physical interfacebetween two physically separate entities, like a host processor andwireless modem, or a logical (software) interface inside one physicalentity, like wireless modem, or may comprise combinations of both.

The responsibilities of radio modem 604 may include, in the instance ofnetwork establishment, determining the actual time of the first TBTT(and subsequent TBTTs that are separated in accordance with the beaconinterval). Further radio modem 604 may count the number TBTTs that haveoccurred, and may participate in beaconing for every TBTT (e.g.,standard beaconing) or every Nth multiple of the TBTT (e.g., dilutedbeaconing) in accordance with the configuration defined by host 600, mayprovide received beacon signals to the host for post-processing and maytransmit and receive frames as in standard WLAN ad hoc networking.

Various example implementations of the present invention may utilize“standard” beacon frame formats, such as disclosed at 700 in FIG. 7. Thebody of beacon frames contains a sequence of information fields thatmay, for example, be dedicated for fixed format fields (e.g., fieldsthat are always fixed in the same position of the frame), or informationelements (IEs) that may be the formatted as disclosed at 702 and 704.Beacon interval is a dedicated fixed field that is used to indicate thenumber of time units between TBTTs (e.g., as in the standard WLAN).

Beacons may also utilize vendor-specific information elements toindicate diluted beacon period values. Per the example disclosed at 706,the first three octets of the information field may contain anorganizationally unique identifier (OUI) corresponding to manufacturers,vendors, service-providers, etc. This OUI may further define the contentof a particular vendor specific information element. The OUI field maybe publicly available information that is assigned by an organizationlike the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Suchas in the example disclosed at 708, a diluted beacon period can beassociated with its own OUI, or the OUI may correspond to, for example,a device vendor or service provider specific OUI and indication ofdiluted beacon period parameter is in the vendor-specific content.

A flowchart of an example communication process in accordance with atleast one example embodiment of the present invention is now describedwith respect to FIG. 8. In step 800 links between apparatuses may becreated, for example, when apparatuses enter into a particular area(e.g., an operational space) that contains other wireless-enabledapparatuses. Linking may comprise the establishment of new networks, oralternatively, apparatuses joining existing networks. In situationswhere new networks need to be established (e.g., as determined in step802) at least one apparatus may enter a new network creation mode instep 804. The new network creation mode may comprise beacon transmissionwherein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention, beacon frames may comprise a timing signal and one or moreassociated diluted beacon indications. Apparatuses may then participatein the network based on a particular operational mode (in this exampleas beaconing apparatus) in step 806 until the network is discontinued asdetermined in step 808. The process may then return to step 800 to awaitfurther requirements for link establishment.

If an existing network to which membership is desired is determined instep 802, then apparatus desiring network membership may attempt tosynchronize to the network beacon in step 810. For example, an attemptmay be made to synchronize the clock provided by the timingsynchronization function to the beacon. The timing synchronizationfunction allows network apparatuses to track the beacon signal and keepsynchronized with the other apparatuses in the network. Uponsynchronization, as determined in step 812, control entities (e.g., host600) in devices that desire network membership may then determine anoperational mode in step 814.

The criteria for selecting operational mode may be determined in viewof, for example, the activity in an apparatus that necessitated thecommunication, current apparatus operating condition, theabilities/functionality of apparatuses, etc. Once a mode has beenselected from the available operational modes defined by, for example, atiming signal, an associated beacon period indication and/or one or moreassociated diluted beacon period indications (all of which may betransmitted in beacon frames), the process may proceed to step 806wherein the apparatus may participate in the network in accordance withthe selected operational mode. In accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention, the apparatus may participate in the network(e.g., contention) based on, for example, a multiple of the beaconperiod that is defined by the beaconing mode. The operational modeselected in apparatuses may also be known by other apparatuses, forexample, through messages that contain predefined information elements(IEs) created for this purpose. Participation in the network maycontinue in step 806 until the network is discontinued in step 808. Theprocess may then return to step 800 to await the next requirement forlink establishment.

If synchronization is not successful in step 812, apparatuses thatdesire to join an existing network may continue to attemptsynchronization with the existing beacon in step 810 until a thresholdcondition is met (as determined in step 816). Possible thresholdconditions may comprise, for example, a duration of time withoutsuccessful beacon synchronization (e.g., a timeout), a number ofunsuccessful synchronization attempts, etc. Once the threshold conditionhas been determined to be met in step 816, the process may proceed tostep 818 wherein a decision is made that the existing network is notavailable. The process may then return to step 802 and follow theprocess flow pertaining to new network creation (e.g., steps 802-808).

Further to the above, the various example embodiments of the presentinvention are not strictly limited to the above implementations, andthus, other configurations are possible.

For example, apparatuses in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention may comprise means for receiving a beacon framecomprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication andan associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to awireless network, means for synchronizing a timing signal function tothe received beacon timing signal, and means for determining a mode ofoperation based on the timing signal function, the beacon periodindication and the diluted beacon period indication.

Another example apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention may comprise means for initiating a wirelessnetwork, and means for transmitting one or more beacon frames, thebeacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon periodindication and an associated diluted beacon period indicationcorresponding to the wireless network.

Accordingly, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant artthat various changes in forma and detail can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. The breadth andscope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a beacon frame comprising a timingsignal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated dilutedbeacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network;synchronizing a timing signal function to the received beacon timingsignal; and determining a mode of operation based on the timing signalfunction, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon periodindication.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated dilutedbeacon period is communicated in the beacon frame in a predefinedinformation element.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the associateddiluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it isa multiple of the beacon period.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, thebeacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indicationcomprises selecting whether to be active in the network according to thetiming signal or the diluted beacon period.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein being active in the network comprises contending for access to awireless communication medium with other networked apparatuses.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising communicating the determined modeof operation to other networked apparatuses.
 7. A method, comprising:initiating a wireless network; and transmitting one or more beaconframes, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associatedbeacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon periodindication corresponding to the wireless network.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with thebeacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
 9. Acomputer program product comprising computer executable program coderecorded on a computer readable medium, comprising: computer programcode configured to receive a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, anassociated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beaconperiod indication corresponding to a wireless network; computer programcode configured to synchronize a timing signal function to the receivedbeacon timing signal; and computer program code configured to determinea mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beaconperiod indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
 10. Thecomputer program product of claim 9, wherein the associated dilutedbeacon period is communicated in the beacon frame in a predefinedinformation element.
 11. The computer program product of claim 9,wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with thebeacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
 12. Thecomputer program product of claim 9, wherein determining a mode ofoperation based on the timing signal function, the beacon periodindication and the diluted beacon period indication comprises selectingwhether to be active in the network according to the timing signal orthe diluted beacon period.
 13. The computer program product of claim 12,wherein being active in the network comprises contending for access to awireless communication medium with other networked apparatuses.
 14. Thecomputer program product of claim 9, further comprising communicatingthe determined mode of operation to other networked apparatuses.
 15. Acomputer program product comprising computer executable program coderecorded on a computer readable medium, comprising: computer programcode configured to initiate a wireless network; and computer programcode configured to transmit one or more beacon frames, the beacon framesincluding a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and anassociated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to thewireless network.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beaconperiod in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
 17. An apparatus,comprising: a processor, the processor being configured to: receive abeacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon periodindication and an associated diluted beacon period indicationcorresponding to a wireless network; synchronize a timing signalfunction to the received beacon timing signal; and determine a mode ofoperation based on the timing signal function, the beacon periodindication and the diluted beacon period indication.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17, wherein the associated diluted beacon period iscommunicated in the beacon frame in a predefined information element.19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the associated diluted beaconperiod is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple ofthe beacon period.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein determining amode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon periodindication and the diluted beacon period indication comprises selectingwhether to be active in the network according to the timing signal orthe diluted beacon period.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein beingactive in the network comprises contending for access to a wirelesscommunication medium with other networked apparatuses.
 22. The apparatusof claim 17, further comprising communicating the determined mode ofoperation to other networked apparatuses.
 23. An apparatus, comprising:A processor, the processor being configured to: initiate a wirelessnetwork; and transmit one or more beacon frames, the beacon framesincluding a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and anassociated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to thewireless network.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the associateddiluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it isa multiple of the beacon period.